Neil Young
Silver & Gold
On Sale Now
For $13.75

Neil Young has rocked with the best of them. He's also made a career out of writing and performing mellow folk songs that have been known to kiss and sting at the very same time. On his latest solo effort, Silver & Gold, Young brushes the dust off his acoustic guitar and his harmonica to pen ten tracks that quietly meander down the road of life.

Young's deep commitment to his music is one of the reasons that he has endured through the decades. Each of his songs tells a story— part fact, part fiction. Whether lamenting times gone by or simply exploring an emotional truth, Young speaks with authority and sensitivity with every note and every breath.

On the album's opener, "Good to See You," the lyric repeats over and over again before fully describing the situation. There's simply not that much to say after living on the road for months at a time. Being with the one you love is paramount.

This theme continues through much of the record. On the title track the singer purrs, "Our kind of love never seems to get old/ It's better than silver and gold." The song is a heartfelt nod to the maturation of his relationship. Unlike his early days, Young now sees value in settling in with someone special for the long haul.

Some tracks here explore topics that are universal while others are clearly specific. "Daddy Went Walkin'" includes details of his father's choices but the song easily translates for a much broader audience. "Buffalo Springfield Again" is direct and personal. It's a dreamer's memory— getting the old band back together to right the wrongs from the distant past.

To mix things up a bit, Young invited some guest singers to appear on the disc. Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt add subtle undertones and sweeping harmonies to the song "Red Sun." It's a soothing addition that creeps into the mix and then quickly dissipates.

Silver & Gold has some heavy competition when compared to the rest of Neil Young's vast catalogue of recorded works. Will any of these songs make their way into the American consciousness as some of his compositions have in the past? It's impossible to say. But regardless of the commercial success of the disc as a whole, the vibe of these tracks transcend time and style. Just like precious metals

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